1759.] INVASION OF CANADA. 125 



fe rings, the Canadians, strong in rooted antipathy 

 to the English, and highly excited by their priests, 

 resolved on fighting to the last. Prayers were 

 offered up in the churches, masses said, and pen- 

 ances enjoined, to avert the wrath of God from the 

 colony, while every thing was done for its defence 

 which the energies of a great and patriotic leader 

 could effect. 



By the plan of this summer's campaign, Canada 

 was to be assailed on three sides at once. Upon 

 the west, General Prideaux was to attack Niagara ; 

 upon the south. General Amherst was to advance 

 upon Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; while upon 

 the east. General Wolfe was to besiege Quebec ; 

 and each of these armies, having accomplished its 

 particular object, was directed to push forward, if 

 possible, until all three had united in the heart of 

 Canada. In pursuance of the plan. General Pri- 

 deaux moved up Lake Ontario and invested Niagara. 

 This post was one of the greatest importance. Its 

 capture would cut off the French from the whole 

 interior country, and they therefore made every 

 effort to raise the siege. An army of seventeen 

 hundred French and Indians, collected at the dis- 

 tant garrisons of Detroit, Presqu' Isle, Le Boeuf, 

 and Venango, suddenly appeared before Niagara.^ 

 Sir William Johnson was now in command of the 

 English, Prideaux having been killed by the biu'st- 

 ing of a cohorn. Advancing in order of battle, he 

 met the French, charged, routed, and pursued them 



1 Annual Register, 1759, p. 33. 



